Trousers-guard.



No. 870,392 PATENTED Nov. 5, 1907,

M. STEARLI'NG. TROUSERS GUARD.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 10, 1907.

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MARTIN M. STEARLING, OF MISSOULA, MONTANA.

' TROUSERS-GUARD.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 5, 1907.

Application filed May 10, 1907. Serial No. 372.881.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARTIN M. STEARLING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Missoula, in the county of Missoula and State of Montana. have invented new and useful Improvements in Trousers-Guards, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to trousers guards or fasteners designed particularly for use by bicyclists, horseback riders, and others, and the object thereof is to provide a deviceof the class set forth which, when used, will confine the trousers bottoms closely to the ankles and at the same time prevent the trousers from becoming creased, pressed, or wrinkled at that point.

To the accomplishment of the recited objects and others subordinate thereto, the preferred embodiment of my invention resides in the construction and arrangement hereinafter described, disclosed in the accompanying drawings, and embraced within the scope of the appended claims.

In the said drawings: Figure 1 represents a perspec tive view of the guard with its ends disconnected. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the ends locked together. Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the manner of applying the improved device to a trousers bottom.

Like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the views.

I prefer to construct my guard of a single piece of spring steel wire, although it is obvious that any other suitable material may be used to attain the objects sought if found desirable. This piece of steel spring wire 1 is bent so as to assume a yoke form with portions 2, 3 thereof of compound curvature, the latter being disposed diametrically opposite each other adjacent each end of the said wire and terminating respectively in a hook 4 and an integrally formed flanged head 5, the said hook and flange being bent angularly to the body of the wire 1 and adapted to interlock, as clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings, in which position the wires take a substantially elliptical form and comprises a large portionG and a smaller or contracted portion 7.

Now, when it is desired to utilize a guard constructed in accordance with this invention it is opened and encircled about the previously folded trousers bottom 8 in proximity to the ankle, at the same time overlapping the ends, then releasing the contractile force of the spring and finally locking the terminals 4 and 5 together, thus leaving considerable space intervening between the said small or contracted portion which projects for some little distance beyond the folded trousers. In this manner suificient force is exerted about the trousers to holdv them securely in their adjusted position, and owing to the fact that the Wire does not engage the trousers at point 9 where the double told is made, the said trousers retain their original folded or creased condition and thus overcome a very objectionable feature incident to other devices. Furthermore, the guard is prevented from becoming accidentally loosened or lost from the ankle of the wearer; it may be applied with facility, and is comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

It will be apparent that the device hereinbefore described is susceptible of various changes in the form, proportions and minor details of construction, which may accordingly be resorted to Within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of my invention.

Having thus fully described the invention, What is claimed as new is:

1. An article of manufacture, comprising a single piece of spring material bent on itself to form a loop, a compound curvature forrned near each end of the said piece and arranged diametrically opposite each other, a hook at one terminal of the said piece, and a flanged headat the opposite terminal thereof for engagement with the hook, said hook and flanged head bent angularlywith respect to the body of the single piece of material.

2. A trousers guard comprising a piece of spring material having near opposite ends a compound curvature and being bent intermediate the curvatures to form a loop portion for encircling a limb, and a hook and head member carried by the respective ends of the single piece of material for locking engagement with each other.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MARTIN M. STEARLING.

Witnesses:

CHAS. E. Avnnr, ESTELLE on LEON. 

